‘Animated Anatomies' Takes a Historical Look at Body Structure

‘Animated Anatomies’ is an art exhibit currently on display in the Perkins Gallery at Duke University that seeks to draw viewers into the unusual and rich history of anatomical flap books. These anatomical flap books were forerunners of today’s pop-up books and were used for by doctors for generations as a way to examine the human body in layers.

‘Animated Anatomies’ delves into the anatomical flap book history in-depth, beginning with the 16th Century and ending with the modern-day children’s anatomy books found in doctor’s offices and libraries. ‘Animated Anatomies’ also serves as a avenue for curious viewers to partake in their own pseudo-scientific investigations into the human body. “These publications invite the viewer to participate in virtual autopsies, through the process of unfolding their movable leaves, simulating the act of human dissection,” says the display.